Murat
Cantal, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Snow blankets the remarkable flagstone roofs of Murat’s medieval and Renaissance houses, here in one of the Cantal’s oldest towns. Nestled in the Regional Natural Park
of the Auvergne Volcanoes, the “Petite Cité de Caractère®” blends into snowy landscapes as nature reveals its magic.
© Gilles Chabrier
Murat is nestled in the heart of the vastest volcano in Europe, in the Auvergne Volcanoes Natural Park. Over the centuries, it has always bustled with activity behind its ramparts. A small town of character with impressive heritage, Murat brims with treasures to discover. It is now home to eleven listed Historic Monuments. How pleasant it is to stroll along its narrow lanes lined with the volcanic stone and flagstone roof houses which have been the town’s pride since the Middle Ages, to enter the central market or the memorial devoted to this important hub of Cantal Resistance activities. Today, the small industrial centre is a highlight of tourism for the Cantal region. An economic crossroads, Murat has remained an extremely vibrant town marked by numerous festivals. Every year in September, for example, the Cornet Festival honours the traditional Marat biscuits that are shaped like cows’ horns. A foodie tradition that is shared throughout Cantal! While Murat can be visited all year long, you won’t want to miss a winter visit, to enjoy magnificent snowy landscapes near the Lioran ski resort.